Haringey Council has failed to take timely and corrective action to reduce the gap between policy and practice in its Children’s Service. Five years after the tragic death of Victoria Climbie, Councillor Wayne Hoban at last night’s Council meeting challenged the Labour lead member for the Children’s Service to comment on Haringey Council’s continuing failure to address quickly complaints made under the Children’s Act.

The Council’s latest performance figures show that of 25 ‘Stage 1’ complaints made under the Children’s Act, just 16 had been completed within the target of 2 weeks. Much more worryingly, not one of the seven more serious ‘Stage 2’ complaints since April 2005 had been dealt with within the target 28 days, and just five had been completed within 90 days.

Councillor Wayne Hoban, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Social Services, comments:

“This appalling standard of service beggars belief. In Lord Laming’s inquiry report into the Victoria Climbie tragedy, he stated that ‘[Haringey] council members and the senior management of Haringey must be held to account for the yawning gap between safe policies and procedures, and poor practice in their children and families’ service.’

“The same administration and officers continue to run our Children and Families’ Service. As if the total lack of accountability that Haringey displayed following the death of Victoria Climbie was not enough, these latest figures are worrying signs that not enough has been done to address the gross systemic failings that failed to protect her. Action must be taken to ensure that serious and far-reaching reform of the Children’s Service is undertaken.”